Actor and director Mel Gibson delivered a fiery speech at the Champions for America Celebration Gala on Tuesday, held at Mar-a-Lago, where he echoed QAnon-style conspiracy theories about human trafficking and threatened violence against alleged perpetrators.
The conservative fundraising event was hosted by America’s Future, a nonprofit chaired by retired Lt. Gen. Michael Flynn, a prominent Trump ally. Attendees included Russell Brand, Kid Rock, Tucker Carlson, and Roger Stone. President-elect Donald Trump was listed as an “invited honored guest.”
Gibson, an ultra-conservative Catholic who has faced backlash in the past for anti-Semitic remarks, praised General Flynn and his sister Mary for their efforts to expose “wolves in sheep’s clothing that prey upon our young.” He veered into more alarming territory when addressing the topic of child trafficking.
“I mean, I got nine kids. I don’t know, if one of them got stolen or trafficked or something, I’d have to kill someone,” Gibson said to applause to The Daily Beast.
In 2023, Gibson executive produced Sound of Freedom, a Christian thriller starring Jim Caviezel, known for promoting QAnon conspiracies. The film stoked fears about elite pedophile rings, a theme that closely aligns with the claims Gibson referenced in his speech.
The Mar-a-Lago event featured tickets priced between $3,800 and $5,000 and centered on awards and speeches promoting conspiracy theories. Among these was the recurring QAnon claim of an “elite group of sex-trafficking pedophile devil-worshipers” allegedly controlling the media and government while harvesting the blood of children to retain their youth.
Kid Rock and Tucker Carlson were honored with “Champion of America” awards presented by General Flynn. Flynn praised their “contributions” to “celebrating freedom, patriotism, and the fight for justice.”
Gibson’s speech, while bizarre, underscored the event’s broader theme: combining conservative rhetoric with fringe conspiracies. His remarks drew attention not only for their violent undertone but also for their alignment with QAnon-style narratives that continue to circulate in far-right circles.
As conservative leaders and influencers gathered to promote their version of “freedom and justice,” Gibson’s comments served as a stark reminder of the blurred lines between mainstream conservative politics and the extreme conspiracy theories that often fuel its fringes.